Check that Car - Before you buy

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Cars - buying a used car MENU
Before you buy
Buying from a dealer
Buying privately
Buying at an auction
Buying over the internet
What to watch out for
If things go wrong
Checklist

Before you buy

Check our leaflet before buying a used car.

Decide what you want and how much you can afford. Include the cost of insurance, MOT, road tax, petrol, repairs and servicing. If you are taking out a loan, add up the repayments.

Don't rush into a decision. Shop around. Look at car magazines and price guides to see what is available for the price you want to pay.

If your knowledge of cars is sketchy, use our checklist. It gives the main things to look out for when assessing a used car's condition, and tells you the signs that point to a car which has been stolen or clocked (had its mileage altered).

If you don't know much about cars, it's a good idea to take someone with you who does. Or you could pay for an independent inspection by a professional mechanic or one of the motoring organisations. It costs between £100 and £300, but could save you money in the long run.